Queer Politics…Here’s What’s Happening So Far…WTF

Queer Politics...Here's What's Happening So Far...WTF

Well, we guess you can't accuse the new political administration of being lazy, they've been busy! Although their subjects of focus seem a little suspect. As we anticipated, queer politics continues to be a hot button for the government, and already, fresh out of the gate, there are some major changes happening. Is this just some bravado to start out the new administration and to keep conservative voters happy? Will anti-LGBTQ sentiment from the White House continue strong or just fade out and leave us alone? Is queer politics the easiest, low-hanging fruit to go after? Here are some of the actions regarding queer politics that have already taken place.

Yesterday, the President ended affirmative action in all federal jobs. All federal diversity, equity, and inclusion staff were put on paid leave with plans to eventually be laid off. Affirmative action is seen by the White House has discriminatory and wants to restore merit-based hiring. Federal DEI webpages were taken down, and all DEI-based training has been canceled. This will also do away with federal grants and benefits for DEI groups. In anticipation of the new administration, 12 major companies have disbanded their DEI programs. These companies include McDonald's, Ford, Walmart, Toyota, Lowe's, and more. DEI programs include the queer community.

 

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On Monday night, the President issued an executive order titled "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." As far as queer politics, this is seen as a blatant attack on the trans community. The President has revoked Biden's order that the trans community can serve in the military. the order also wants to cease issuing passports that do not declare the gender assigned at birth, erase mention of the trans community in any government communication, and redefine gender at the federal level. Also, trans inmates will be banned from trans medical care while in prison, and trans women will be banned from staying at women's jails. And that is just the beginning.

Next in queer politics, any mention of “lesbian”, “bisexual”, “gay”, “transgender,” and “sexual orientation” have been deleted from the White House website. Searching "LGBTQ+" will yield no results. Other federal websites have followed suit, including the Centre for Disease Control, and the State Department which have had LGBTQ and HIV+ pages taken down. GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellis condemned the acts, "This action proves the Trump administration’s goal of making it as difficult as possible for LGBTQ+ Americans to find federal resources or otherwise see ourselves reflected under his presidency. Sadly for him, our community is more visible than ever, and this pathetic attempt to diminish and remove us will again prove unsuccessful.”

 

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These political moves are clearly having an effect on queer youth. The Advocate and the Rainbow Youth Project report that The RYP's national crisis hotline has experienced major, record-breaking surges since Trump was declared President, and that on Inauguration Day alone, had received 1,400 calls by the afternoon.

We will keep you posted on all the things happening in queer politics!